A multi-disciplinary, systematic approach to optimising the use of antimicrobials to improve patient outcomes and limit the emergence of resistant pathogens, while ensuring patient safety. 

Laboratory and clinical practices that prevent unwanted microorganisms from contaminating equipment, growth media or the workplace.

Enteric bacteria that are resistant to carbapenemase antibiotics.

Organisms in the environment found growing on sites in the body, without causing infection.

Coordinated systems or user-based interventions designed to promote evidence-based utilisation of diagnostic tests, with the primary goals of improving value and care quality, and safely reducing cost (Madden et al., 2018).

These are infections that are caused by normal flora: for example, Enterococcus faecalis, which is a part of normal gastrointestinal tract flora, can be introduced into the blood during surgical intervention in the patient. 

Bacteria that reside in the intestines.

These are infections that are acquired from the environment or animal sources, or from another person;. For example, non-surgical wounds may become contaminated, or infections such as meningococcal meningitis may spread from person to person. 

A system that standardises and shares surveillance data on antimicrobial resistance (AMR) worldwide, implemented by the World Health Organization.

Guidelines and practices that protect patients and health workers from avoidable infection.

The proportion of a population that is suffering from a particular disease at a particular time, or the proportion of isolates that are resistant to a particular antimicrobial at a particular time.

A document detailing how routine laboratory processes and procedures should be performed.